Chapter Text
“Mom...”
A short woman with her hair pulled into a tight bun stood cradling an infant. The sunlight behind her enveloped her figure. She turned around quietly, smiling at the viewer.
“Mom...?” The viewer spoke, he knew he did. Yet he couldn’t hear her, he couldn’t hear himself.
She walked over quietly, her eyes opening. She mouthed something— still, silence.
“Mommy I can’t-“
The sound of crying erupted throughout the house. This jolted the middle child, Itchimatsu, awake. The crying was so painfully loud, he clasped at his ears. Attempting to save himself from the sounds but it was no use. The boy felt something warm ooze into his palms. “Ichimatsu!” Another voice boomed, Itchimatsu shoved away the source. Through little to no avail, he was grabbed tightly and pulled into a tight embrace. “THE NOISE!” he yelled aloud, nearly deafening the man holding him. “Ichimatsu, your ears!” The man yelled out in shock.
..
Even though the night was painfully loud, the hospital was quiet. Ichimatsu noticed the moment they’d arrived, it had gone silent. Like in the dream with...
He glanced over at his oldest brother, Osomatsu. Ichi sat on the hospital bed, observing his brother while he stood outside the room. In front of his brother was the doctor, together they spoke silently. Ichimatsu wanted to yell at them, to tell them to speak up. But based off the worried glances Osomatsu was making at him. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know.
..
“Welcome home, Niisan!” Jyushimatsu ran over towards the door as his two older brothers entered. Osomatsu’s hand was placed on Ichi’s shoulder, guiding him in quietly. The younger of the two stayed silent, keeping his eyes to the floor. “Ah... Jyushimatsu. Where’re our brothers?” The hyperactive boy bounced a bit as he stood, smiling wide. “Kara is with Totty! Choro is working!” He giggled.
Osomatsu nodded, smiling softly, “Can you please get Kara for me. We have to discuss a few things.”
Jyushi nodded painfully quick, darting off and stomping up the stairs.
..
The remaining brothers gathered in the kitchen only a few moments later. Karamatsu stood bouncing the youngest of the siblings in his arms. Exhaust clung to his eyes as he did so. The infant finally asleep it had seemed, Karamatsu was attempting to keep a low voice. “What’s up, Bruzza? How is Ichi..?” The mentioned boy was sitting at the table with his head hung low. Osomatsu was seated next to him, papers splayed out in front of them. “Ah...” he started, explaining briefly how Ichimatsu’s audio nerve was pinched. The doctor mentioned an ear infection that went unnoticed and killed the auditorial nerve. The infection could’ve started while he was asleep and was just so bad it pinched the nerve completely.
Karamatsu cringed at the thought, continuing to bounce the cradled baby.
Osomatsu sighed while running a hand down his face. The oldest was visibly stressed. “I... don’t know what I’m going to do, Kara...” he glanced up at the other, “he needs hearing aides... lessons for JSL...”
Karamatsu looked down at the boy, “So he’s completely deaf?” His eyes then traveled to Jyushimatsu who stood quietly next to the other. Osomatsu nodded, “That’s what the doctor said... they gave me references and estimated prices... but I think aides are gonna have to wait...”
Kara observed the middle child with a solemn look, “Is he alright...?” The oldest shifted in his seat, looking over at the mentioned boy. Ichimatsu was staring at his lap. “He’s adjusting... it just happened... I... the doctor said this is rare... he also said Ichimatsu might hear slight ringing for a while until his ears...” he flicked gestured quotations, “‘heal...’ but he will most likely be left completely deaf.” Todomatsu began to wriggle in the older’s arms. His brief whining noticeably bothered Ichimatsu. They watched as he covered his ears tightly.
“Bring him upstairs, I think we’ll have to make sure Ichimatsu is away from loud noises while he heals.” Osomatsu demanded quietly and watched as the second oldest carried the baby upstairs again. He looked over at the two youngest, watching. Jyushimatsu whispered something to Itchimatsu. Slowly, he tugged down on the middle child’s arms. This forced him to let go of his now red ears.
..
Things were hard for the brothers. Just a few months previous, their parents passed in a car wreck. One of Japan’s most deadliest pile-ups. People would look at them in pity... it disgusted the oldest. Their last name a constant reminder of the family’s tragedy.
This was also Osomatsu’s third job within two months and again, he was being fired. Great, he thought. He knew he’d be hearing it from Choromatsu like every other time. The pesky fifteen year old had no idea how to respect his elders. Osomatsu sighed as he walked home, his last paycheck getting soaked by the rain that devoured him. “Fuck...”
..
“I’m home...” he hung up his jacket as he entered the small home. The sound of yelling could be heard. This was common lately, everyone was just on edge. “Itchimatsu, no! It’s- MINE!” That was definitely Choromatsu... the oldest sighed as he slipped off his shoes and entered.
Osomatsu noticed the two middle children fighting. A remote was in Choromatsu’s hand as his other held Ichimatsu back. The younger of the two shouted profanities at the other, aggressively clawing at him. “Guys- Oy! Whoa!” Osomatsu dropped his soaked paycheck onto the table as he rushed towards the two. Instinctively, he shoved himself in between. He pulled the two apart, holding them back by the backs of their shirts. “HEY. Stop! What the hell’s going on??”
Choromatsu was the first to speak, his voice cracking. “He wouldn’t give me the remote! So when I asked he fought me over it!! This psycho fu-“
Oso tugged at Choro’s shirt, shutting him up. “OY!” Osomatsu scolded. “Watch yourself.”
“MY SHOW WAS ON!” Itchimatsu yelled out, unaware of his volume. Suddenly he grew emotional, bottom lip quivering. “It... is important.” His head dropped, relaxing his body while he wiped his tears away. “Oh that little- HE’S TRYING TO PLAY THE BABY!” Choromatsu glared up at the oldest. Osomatsu smiled softly, looking down at Itchimatsu. He gently poked his shoulder, grabbing his attention. Slowly he signed... brief motions. It’d only been a month and a half- but they had learned the basics so Itchimatsu could still communicate. ‘Sleep. Bedroom.’ Osomatsu made a confused look, receiving a sigh from Itchimatsu. ‘Not tired.’ The youngest replied swiftly, learning faster than the rest of them. ‘You need to rest. Okay?’ Osomatsu wasn’t sure if his words were coming across correctly, but smiled a bit when Itchimatsu shrugged. ‘It’s late. Go to bedroom.’ The youngest rolled his eyes before shuffling towards the bedroom that now only held three futons.
“Why does he have to make everything so damn difficult.” Choromatsu spat, flopping down onto the couch. Osomatsu sat down next to him, leaning back and sighing in exhaust.
“He’s still a kid, Choro... remember you’re four years older than him...” The younger looked at his brother then nodded. He noticed how exhausted Osomatsu looked, he was working harder than ever before... maybe... he was trying to change.
Choromatsu was eating his words before he knew it. Osomatsu got fired, again! “YOU WHAT?!” Choro was gripping the table with clenched fists. Karamatsu and Osomatsu sat with him at the kitchen table, the younger brothers asleep by now. “I’m sorry! I just wanted to tell you... I’m going to head out again tomorrow to find a job...” Osomatsu mumbled as he sipped at his beer.
“Why are you so bad at holding a job?” Karamatsu snickered slightly, “This is your fifth one right?” Oso nearly choked on his beer, “Third! And I don’t see you going out and supporting the family...”
Karamatsu’s face turned sour at the comment, “I watch Totty, that was our plan. You two work and I watch the little ones since they listen to me.” He clicked his tongue, crossing his arms defensively. “Ah, right. How’s your job, Choro?” Osomatsu glanced over at the youngest of the three.
“It’s fine... I guess.” Choro looked down at the table, being the school’s library assistant didn’t really offer much pay... but it was still nice. He could at least put his money towards food while Osomatsu paid for other necessities- like a roof over their head.